In Loving Memory Of Darren Curry Fenton March 27, 1966 - October 8, 2008 Monday October 13, 2008 2:00 p.m. Highway 178 Church of Christ 1285 State Highway 178 East New Albany, MS 38652 Brother Ralph O'Conner Williams, Officiating Darren C. Fenton was born March 27, 1966 to the late L.C. Fenton Jr. and Sarah Mae Hunt Fenton in Tupelo, MS. Darren was baptized into Christ at the age of twelve at North Green Street Church of Christ. Darren later moved his membership to Highway 178 Church of Christ in New Albany, MS where he remained until his death on October 8, 2008 at North Mississippi Medical Center. Darren was a 1984 graduate of Tupelo High School where he was a member of the Tupelo Golden Wave Football and Track Team. Darren was a member of the Key Club as well as other school organizations. Darren was also a 1986 graduate of Itawamba Community College with an Associate of Art Degree. He played football, and was very active in several clubs and organizations. Darren completed his education and received a Bachelors of Business Administration at Mississippi State University in 1989. While attending MSU, Darren became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and he was very active in several organizations. While a student at MSU, Darren started his professional career with Memphis International Airport as an Aircraft Controller. After graduation from MSU, he went to work in management for Wal-Mart Inc. for ten year. While an employee of Wal-Mart Inc., he was the Assistant Store Manager of several locations through out the south. After 10 years of employment at Wal-Mart, Darren changed careers and was hired as a Neighborhood Planner with the City of Tupelo in January, 2000. Under his leadership, the number of organized Neighborhood Associations throughout the city grew from six to fourteen. Darren was always present at these meeting, unless there was a conflict when two meetings were held at the same time due to holidays. His faithful presence in the neighborhood meetings and his follow through on residents' questions assured them that the city was listening to them. In addition, he always attended events sponsored by the Neighborhood Associations and was instrumental in marketing them. Three years ago, Darren began writing weekly neighborhood articles that are published in the local newspaper, in order to raise awareness about the various neighborhoods. In 2008, he attended evening classes at the local community college to learn to build web pages. This led to the development of a web site for all of the neighborhood associations, www.livingintupelo.com , that provides detailed information about each of them. Darren worked with the neighborhood residents, and attended leadership training with them at national Community Leadership Institutes. Successful projects implemented by this Resident Leadership Council/Team Tupelo include the Back-to-School Give-A-Way; Christmas Tree Trimming at City Hall; Christmas Celebration; Tupelo Talent Show Competition; a painted canvas of Tupelo landmarks that proudly hangs on his wall; and the revitalization of blighted space into a community park on South Spring Street. One of his favorite projects was the organization of the Neighborhood Associations Youth Council, where he served as counsel and mentor at their monthly meetings and projects. Encouraged by his employer, Darren attended the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, taking week-long classes for three consecutive summers. Following the completion of testing requirements in 2005, he received designation as a Certified Community & Economic Development, one of few residing in Northeast MS. He retained this certification until his death. Always willing to assist others, Darren extended his scope of services out into the community, serving on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast MS and Neighborhood Development Corporation. He also participated as a team member in the city's United Way Day of Caring events in 2007 and 2008, lending assistance to local United Way agencies. He provided support to numerous city committees, including the Historic Preservation Commission, the Tupelo Apartment Consortium, N.O.W./NAYC Afterschool Program, Neighborhoods Association Council, and others. Darren was respected and loved by his Planning & Community Development co-workers, and other city employees and officials who worked with him on various programs and projects. He was especially pampered and spoiled by the elderly ladies attending Neighborhood Association meetings. Darren is terribly missed by all, and most of all by his Planning Department "sisters, brothers, mothers, father, and mentors". They shared in his low and high moments, his love for Cowboys football, Lakers basketball, Mississippi State anything, and Batman. They were blessed to taste his "Woo Cookies"! Darren was also employed by WTVA as a Master Control Operator for the past two years. Darren leaves to cherish his memories, five brothers, Roosevelt Fenton, Preston Martin, Frederick Duffy, LC Fenton III, and Rodriquez Campbell; five sisters, Frances Diane Fenton Jackson, Barbara Mayfield, Denise Carruth, Marcia Payton Edwards, and Ruby Elizabeth Fenton. Five uncles Jimmy Harris (Ruby), James Harris (Lavonne), Paul White, Maurice White and Jimmy D. White; three aunts, Mary Harris, Anne Harris, and Catherine Harris; three great aunts, Mamie Agnew, Essie Fenton, Clara Lou McGregory , his step-mother Luvenia Long Payton; a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and his church family